When I interviewed myself on day one, I spoke of my process just the same – you know, the one which basically just consists of a Betty Cooper ponytail all day, everyday, whether I’m going to the gym, to work, or a black tie wedding. Oh, and I use two – and only two – bobby pins. I wouldn’t want to leave you without that crucial information, should you decide to re-create the Francie.

But for the final day of my #denverhair project, I decided that I was going to be making some changes to that process. And maybe (keyword: maybe) begin to wear my hair more down than up.

I have very thin hair and very few strands of it. I really don’t know how to pump up my hair’s volume without making it look like I’ve decided to try my hand (hair?) at competing in beauty pageants. Come to think of it, most professionals don’t even know what to do with my baby fine locks when I sit in their chair and take out my ponytail – but it usually consists of an over-pinned up-do, under a crispy and overcooked film of hairspray.

I reached out to Fluff Dry Bar in LoDo for help. Kate, Fluff’s own thin-haired stylist and Events Coordinator came to my rescue.

If it were a realistic and financial option to begin all of my hair days at Fluff, I would. I’m still toying with the idea of eliminating dinner from my budget, and replacing it with Fluff blow-outs. But until that decision is officially made, I’ll take the tips I learned from Kate during my visit.

During my thirty minute, $40 blow-dry appointment – accompanied by a glass of champagne, a head massage and a wash of my hair – I indulged Kate in everything I hated about my hair: that I had practically given up on styling it, so I stick to my ponytail, and claim that it’s just part of my personality.

As a thin-haired woman herself, Kate gave me a few, quick and easy items of action I could start doing to take control of my baby fine hair and work with what I’ve got. And this was great. Because my decision to constantly complain about my hair issues has not been working to actually solve the problem.

Here’s what she told me would work for my hair:

Braids: Hair’s easiest and best accessory. Not only are they great for keeping hair in place and looking good the day-of, braids win for next day, unwashed hair options.

Wash: Washing your hair everyday will only make your hair believe that it needs to be washed everyday. If you can change up the cycle to once every two days – or even three – hair will be less greasy the days without wash. The more chemicals you put in your hair, the greasier it becomes.

Heat and a round brush: Enough with the air dry. Use a blow dryer, and use it with a round brush. The round brush will create back combing, and heat will work to expand the hair, creating more volume. Science!

Dry Shampoo: A thin-haired girl’s best friend, and should always be tossed into your bag. It creates volume and texture without the grease. But don’t just spray it on – it’s best used if you section out strands of hair, and place the powder (yes, powder) at the roots. Kate used this product by Kevin Murphy on me. And if you think I bought a bottle of it for myself at the end of the appointment, I did.

Product: Spending more money on a high quality product goes a long way. A much longer way than stocking up on cheap sprays, mousses and gels that don’t do the job quite right. You’re better off making the investment and coming out happy, rather than trying to save a buck and getting a mediocre result.

Fluff Dry Bar is awesome: It is. It’s a full service salon, with makeup artists and a bar. A bar! They’ve got a menu full of options, but a $40 blow-dry takes only thirty minutes, includes a hair washing, a scalp massage, and an immediate ego-boost. The concept is no different than getting a manicure: your hair’s been worn and torn at work all day. Why not treat yourself to a quick, inexpensive spa treatment, on the way to drinks with friends? It’s fresh, revitalizing and fun. Consider it your pregame to happy hour.

Kate put two braids in my hair, teased half of it up, and loosely used a curling iron for the rest. I loved it. But what I loved even more was that Kate took me every step of the way, showing me how to go through the process myself.

Unfortunately, I can’t say I share that same love for the cameraman, who chose to make the audience very aware of what location we filmed my final hair interview in. He’s since been fired.

You can watch and read about my entire series here. Until next time – take hair!

For day nine of the #denverhair experience, I stopped by the grand opening of Rita B Salon in The Beauvallon and spoke to Salon Manager, Keva.

Keva’s side ‘do only took about thirty minutes. It’s very glam. If I was going to be a bridesmaid anytime soon and had to get my hair done – I’d take a picture of Keva’s hair, stick it on Pinterest and show it to the hairstylist. I would of course then ask her to “Give me the Keva.”

All it takes is a little braid, a few bobby pins, a curling iron and some hairspray. I’m going to try this look later on today. If it works, I’m posting a video.

Follow my series here and on Twitter with @notajappycamper and #denverhair.

Denver’s dog days of summer are upon us. Some days are hot, some days are humid. Some days, you’ll probably have upper lip sweat. And some days – it’s inevitable – you’ll just have a bad hair day.

I want to learn how you manage those bad hair days, and what you do to your hair on those good hair days. The days you use mustache cream, and the days you stick your locks in hot rollers. The days where you rub your beard in beard oil, flat iron your hair stick straight, crunch gel into your mohawk, and the mornings you spend hours in front of the mirror with a curling iron. I want to know why you style your hair the way you do, how you do it, and why it’s become a part of your identity. People of Denver, please tell me: “How’d you get your hair like that?”